Daredevil—Season 2

Too slow, doesn't flow, visuals are too dark to follow some of the action

Daredevil has a couple of new problems…

With the Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio) put away, Daredevil (Charlie Cox) hopes that things will calm down in Hell’s Kitchen. Unfortunately, a new player nicknamed the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) by the police is targeting gangs. Matt also faces the return of his college lover Elektra Natchios (Élodie Yung) who could mean more problems for his law firm if his actions as Daredevil interfere with his work. When a group called the Hand moves in to New York City, Daredevil finds he might be in the battle of his life in a race to protect the people he love.

Daredevil—Season 2 was released on Netflix on March 18, 2016. The series follows Netflix’s Jessica Jones—Season 1 released in late 2015 and is considered part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Don’t get involved with this hot mess, Karen…unless you want to end up impaled on a billy-club

Daredevil—Season 1 was pretty slow paced. As an origin series, this was necessary. It needed to introduce the players and show how Matt Murdock became Daredevil. Daredevil—Season 2 doesn’t have to be burdened with an origin story…but it also keeps the slow pace of first season.

I enjoyed Daredevil—Season 1 but thought it needed a bit more giddy-up in its storytelling. I had hoped that this would present here, but season 2 also moves at a snail’s pace. The first part of the series might as well been called The Punisher—Season 1 because Daredevil really had little involvement. The second part of the series involves Elektra prominently. Starting with the Punisher going to prison and the Kingpin’s return, the series picked up…it just was too bad it took so many episodes to do it. The series isn’t bad and I like the R-Rated approach, but I wanted more from it.

Don’t you hate it when a nice walk through the cellblock is ruined by prison gangs?

The cast continues to be strong, but I feel a lot of them are underused. Oddly enough, it felt like Charlie Cox was a supporting character this season and his “I’m busy” storyline with Elektra got old fast. I did like Jon Bernthal as the Punisher, but I don’t know that I want to watch a whole series that Netflix has planned around him (I’ve always thought the Punisher was a better supporting character than a star). Elden Henson has little to do but complain about Foggy and Deborah Ann Woll’s Karen Page proves to be the only proactive character of the group. Élodie Yung is a better Elektra than Jennifer Garner, but I still feel that something is missing from both portrayals. I did enjoy the small roles by Vincent D’Onofrio, Scott Glenn, and Rosario Dawson (whose role needs to be expanded).

She’s not Elektra ’til she has the Frank Miller costume and her sai…

Visually the show is dark…almost unnecessarily. It is a tough sell having a guy run around in a red suit (as proven by Ben Affleck) so the show shoots everything with little light. It just makes it tough to see some of the scenes and follow the action. Jessica Jones proved that you can have a dark show and a visual show at the same time…and I hope that future Netflix series lighten up the visuals for at least viewing purposes.

Daredevil—Season 2 is imperfect. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t great. It feels like a step-down from season 1 when it had such potential to be better than season 1. As the series goes on, it will be tough for Daredevil who doesn’t have that deep of a rogues’ gallery and I wish that this season had at least introduced a potential next villain in Bullseye or someone. I suppose that Jessica Jones spoiled me (since I enjoyed that series more), but Daredevil still has untapped potential. This season just feels a bit more splintered while not introducing anything new. Netflix followed Daredevil with the Jessica Jones spin-off Luke Cage in September of 2016.

Daredevil—Season 2 Complete Episode Guide:

“Bang”

2.1 Bang Release Date: 03/18/16

The gangs of Hell’s Kitchen are being taken out by a mysterious assassin that appears like an army. When a survivor of the attack on the Irish named Grotto (McCaleb Burnett) tracks down Matt (Charlie Cox) and Foggy (Elden Henson), Matt sets out to find the killer while Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) tries to keep him hidden in the hospital. When the killer attacks the hospital, Matt finds himself in a face-to-face battle with the Punisher (Jon Bernthal).

“Dogs to a Gunfight”

2.2 Dogs to a Gunfight Release Date: 03/18/16

Matt suffers fallout from his battle with the gunman and discovers that the gunshot has affected his senses. Karen and Foggy try to get Grotto in protective custody but find that the authorities bring him a higher-up in the Irish mafia. Matt finds that Karen is question if the Punisher is any different than Daredevil since they both are vigilantes. As Grotto prepares to meet with supplier, Foggy and Karen discover that the police might be setting him up for a fall…and Daredevil could get caught in the middle.

“New York’s Finest”

2.3 New York’s Finest Release Date: 03/18/16

Foggy and Karen try to deal with the fallout and the botched attempt to capture the Punisher. Daredevil finds himself a prisoner of the Punisher. Karen tries to get Grotto to turn himself in while Foggy goes to Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) for help in finding Matt.

“Penny and Dime”

2.4 Penny and Dime Release Date: 03/18/16

The Irish hunt the Punisher for the money taken by Castle. Karen seeks out Frank Castle when she is leaked information by Blake Tower (Stephen Rider) and questions if Katrina Reyes (Michelle Hurd) is hiding information about the vigilante. Matt realizes Karen is trying to find Frank Castle and tries to find Frank first. When the Punisher is captured by the Irish, Daredevil becomes his unlikely rescuer. After an intimate moment with Karen, Matt finds someone from his past has returned.

“Kinbaku”

2.5 Kinbaku Release Date: 03/18/16

Matt finds Elektra Natchios (Élodie Yung) is back in his life and remembers his first encounter with her. Tower comes to Foggy with help about the future of Reyes as Karen digs into the reporting of Frank Castle’s capture and his hidden past. Matt goes on a date with Karen and recalls how Elektra tried to give him the chance at revenge he dreamed of.

“Regrets Only”

2.6 Regrets Only Release Date: 03/18/16

Elektra manipulates Matt to work to help her bring down the Yakuza threatening his business interests. Matt, Foggy, and Karen learns that Reyes is trying to get Frank Castle to get the death penalty in Delaware, and Matt debates defending him putting him at odds with Foggy. As Matt goes on a mission with Elektra, Foggy and Karen are thrown a curve ball when Frank Castle decides to plead not guilty.

“Semper Fidelis”

2.7 Semper Fidelis Release Date: 03/18/16

The Punisher’s trial is beginning and Matt, Foggy, and Karen are up against Reyes’ plans. While Elektra tries to work with to uncover the Yakuza’s plans, Matt finds himself forced to help her…despite his need to prepare for the trial. When Elektra inserts herself into the trial, Matt finds his defense plan thrown into jeopardy with both Karen and Foggy at odds with him. A raid of a Yakuza base by Daredevil and Elektra show a deeper mystery.

“Guilty as Sin”

2.8 Guilty as Sin Release Date: 03/18/16

The discovery of a massive pit leaves Matt with more questions, but when ninjas known as the Hand attack and injure Elektra, Matt finds his teacher Stick (Scott Glenn) has returned. Matt learns about a potential danger facing the city and his past with Elektra may not be what it seemed. Putting Frank Castle on the stand backfires and leads to an unexpected alliance.

“Seven Minutes in Heaven”

2.9 Seven Minutes in Heaven Release Date: 03/18/16

The Kingpin Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) has an offer for Frank Castle in prison and reveals that one of the men responsible for Frank’s family’s death is also in the prison. Daredevil seeks out what the Hand are attempting to do. Foggy questions if Nelson & Murdock are over both as friends and as a law firm while Karen looks into why Frank Castle’s family was killed.

“The Man in the Box”

2.10 The Man in the Box Release Date: 03/18/16

Matt tries to clean up after the Hand’s operation by having Claire tend to the victims. Frank Castle’s escape puts the city on high alert and sets Matt on a path to confront Wilson Fisk in the prison. Karen works with Mitchell Ellison (Geoffrey Cantor) at the Bulletin to predict where Frank will go next and questions if Frank is responsible for the attacks.

“.380”

2.11 .380 Release Date: 03/18/16

The Hand attack the hospital to reclaim the children and Daredevil is the only thing standing between Claire and death. The Punisher realizes someone is trying to frame him and sets out to find the killer when Karen is targeted. Elektra finds herself under attack by her own ally. With Daredevil and the Punisher seeking out the Blacksmith…death could be coming!

“The Dark at the End of the Tunnel”

2.12 The Dark at the End of the Tunnel Release Date: 03/18/16

Daredevil stops Elektra from killing Stick but finds Stick has been kidnapped by the Hand. With Frank presumed dead, Karen finds herself working closer with the paper to find the real story of Frank Castle and the cover-up leading her to Frank’s commander (Clancy Brown). Daredevil searches the sewers for Stick and the Hand…and learns the secret of Black Sky.

“A Cold Day in Hell’s Kitchen”

2.13 A Cold Day in Hell’s Kitchen Release Date: 03/18/16

The Hand is searching for Elektra and taken the people Daredevil helped as means to draw out her and Daredevil out. Daredevil and Elektra face off against the Hand in what could be their last stand!

Follow me on Twitter @JPRoscoe76! Loves all things pop-culture especially if it has a bit of a counter-culture twist. Plays video games (basically from the start when a neighbor brought home an Atari 2600), comic loving (for almost 30 years), and a true critic of movies. Enjoys the art house but also isn't afraid to let in one or two popular movies at the same time.